Chapter 28: Starlit Tree

"Is everyone clear on what they need to do?"

"Relax, Krystal. What you're making us do is weird, but it's not difficult. It'll be fine."

"We only have a few hours to make this work. We mustn't waste that time."

"Sabre is right," Nomar interjected. "Everything will turn out fine. There's no need to worry."

Krystal regarded her mother and relented the tense frown she bore Sabre. She swept a gaze across the others present around the room. Her father; her uncle; various friends and relatives. They were all calmer than Krystal realised she was behaving. She took a soft breath.

"I just want this to go perfectly."

"I doubt there will be any problems," Thalse assured. "Even if there are, we have plenty of time to sort them out."

Krystal conceded a nod, though she continued to run through the plan for anything that she might have overlooked. "Fox will be stationed at the barracks all day. He's not likely to wander outside during his breaks." Even though it was easy to hide scheming thoughts from an off-worlder, Krystal loathed for Fox to catch anyone here in the act. He might not be telepathic, but he was perceptive. It would only take a few small clues for him to notice that something was afoot.

"As soon as we're done here, I'll head over to the laboratory and speak with Doctor Andross."

Sabre vented a displeased groan. "Do we have to bring him into this? The guy's an asshole, and that woman he works with creeps me out!"

"I'm not fond of them either," Krystal said evenly. "However, they have a right to be involved as well." An unpleasant silence fell.

"I agree with Krystal," Randorn put in. "Including them might offer us all the chance to overcome past… animosities." He looked to Nomar as he spoke. She folded her arms with a frown towards the table, but otherwise said nothing.

Krystal read the rest of the room. Randorn's was the only support she sensed for her decision. However, no one else spoke out to bolster Sabre's protest. An uneasy neutrality hung in the air. "If there are no more questions, we'll get to work," she declared.

As people funnelled out of the house, Nomar approached Krystal. She wrapped her arms around her daughter. "I think you're doing a wonderful thing, Krystal."

Krystal returned the embrace. "Thank you, Mama. I just hope that Fox likes it."

"I'm sure that he will."

"He'll love it," Thalse said. "There's no need to worry about that."

Nomar threw a smirk his way. "And you understand what your role is?"

"Go back to work and don't give Fox any free time." Thalse shook his head. "Honestly. I've got the most boring job of them all."

"Yet it's just as important as the rest," Nomar appeased.

With a hapless shrug, Thalse left the house to commence his day. Krystal relished in her mother's hug a little longer for reassurance. Many things could go wrong, and she prayed that no misfortunes would come about. The one thing that worried her most was how Fox would respond to what they were doing. Krystal hoped that he appreciated what she was trying to achieve. She really wanted this to make him happy.

Time may crawl on Cerinia, but her winter practically slowed it to a standstill. This season brought a greater chill than the previous year and dragged on for longer than Fox thought he could bear. Every day he wore extra layers to stave off the wind's fangs. Every day he carried heat crystals in his pockets that jabbed into his skin like twisted rings of keys. Every day he longed for electric heaters that ran around the clock. Any salvation from this unyielding cold.

Fortunately, spring was around the corner. Nights this time of year didn't reach the deep subzero temperatures that winter's peak did. It was still colder than what Fox was comfortable with though. He was grateful that Thalse only assigned him to the night shift if there was no one else available. Unless it was for work, Fox did everything he could to avoid being outside after the sun went down.

Krystal knew that just as well as Fox did. So, why she had asked him to meet her at the city gate at this hour, Fox couldn't fathom. He would have told anyone else to go jump into a lake. Love truly made men do stupid things, it seemed. Fox arrived at the gate and found Krystal waiting for him, staff in hand. His mood lifted a little at the sight of her.

Wrapped in his arms, she kissed his cheek. "How are you?" Krystal asked.

"Cold," he replied flatly. A shiver ached deep in Fox's bones where the heat crystals barely kept his blood flowing.

She nuzzled him dearly. "I'm sorry. I promise it'll be worth calling you out here." Krystal's free hand taking his helped Fox to forget his discomfort for a short while.

"Do you mind telling me what this is about?"

Krystal smiled. "It's a surprise." She then summoned a flame from the head of her staff, where it burned like a torch. Krystal pulled Fox along, leading him out of the city. He resigned to the fact that he wouldn't get another answer out of her.

They walked through snow towards the forest. Thankfully, Krystal did not take them much further than that. Just past the boundary, Fox noticed light up ahead. There was a little patch where the trees were still spread out from each other, where the ground was mostly level and clear of rocks and bushes.

Dozens of foxes sat around a single tree atop thick blankets strewn around small fires. Fox's eyes climbed up the tree's trunk. Many lanterns hung from its branches. Light crystals glowed from within each of them. Nettled limbs also held up streams of bright ribbon. More gemstones hung from them on hooks. They caught the light and glistened like stars.

Fox realised that his breath had caught in his throat. "What is this?" he asked. He looked around and recognised many friends among them. At the fringe of the torches that warmed the clearing, Fox also saw Andross and Thene sitting next to one another.

The magic extinguished from her staff. Krystal stepped in front of Fox and smiled to him. "On the 25th day of the last month of a planet's year, there's a special occasion on which close friends and family come together. They decorate a tree and exchange gifts to show their appreciation for each other."

Fox's jaw hung as he understood what she was saying. "Christmas…" he murmured. "You remembered."

Krystal nodded. Her smile brightened. "You didn't get to celebrate last year, so I wanted to give you the chance this time."

Fox looked closer at their surroundings. A feast was laid out in baskets; using the campfires to keep the food warm. He could smell cooked meat, roasted vegetables, as well as various Cerinian sweets. Someone had even built a little structure resembling a gingerbread house. Fox returned his gaze to the Christmas tree. A pile of wrapped parcels sat between its roots.

Memories surfaced. Old ones. Younger ones. Memories of his family, whole and happy. Crazier times with his team. Cold days. Weird summer days. Sneaky days stolen when Star Fox was docked on another planet at the right time. Every single one of them now fond and precious.

Fox's throat constricted. His eyes watered. His chest shook and ached as a soft sob broke through. "Krystal… I…" Fox closed the gap and pulled her into his arms. He buried his face into her shoulder. "Thank you." His voice cracked and shuddered. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Krystal held him. She shifted her weight from one side to the other, gently rocking Fox in the way that always reminded him of his childhood. "I'm glad you like it."

Fox chuckled. "That's an understatement." Drying his eyes, he took another look around and remembered the mismatched pair in the shadows. "I'm surprised you invited Andross and Thene," he said with a slight frown.

"Andross is from Lylat too," Krystal stroked his arm. "For better or worse, he should be able to celebrate Christmas as well."

She had a bigger heart than he did. "I suppose," Fox sighed.

Any sentiments that he had on the matter were set aside as the crowd gathered around Fox. The next few minutes became a series of hugs with different people. Nomar and Thalse; Randorn and Sabre; Sheld and Hiumart; and many more who Fox had befriended over the years. They were all here to celebrate another world's holiday with him. Despite the cold, Fox felt incredibly warm.

The food was excellent. Fox could taste the love mixed into every bite. He was disappointed to find that the gingerbread house was just made of wood. Krystal didn't recognise the traditional materials from that one time he shared his memories with her. Fox didn't worry about it. The thought was what counted. Maybe he could try recreating a gingerbread recipe with Krystal for next year. They were going to have to find something to replace the ginger with though, Fox considered. Something sharp and sweet.

After bellies were filled, the presents were handed out. There weren't many. Everyone else probably prepared only one or two for the people they cared about most. When Krystal returned to Fox's side, she placed her gift into his hands. Carefully, he untied the twine that held the fabric together. Inside sat a necklace with a gleaming, red gemstone attached. Fox cradled its weight in his palms.

"Since you still can't charge crystals with your mana, I made you one that draws power from nature instead," Krystal explained. "I crafted the enchantments so that the necklace can warm your whole body on its own."

Thrilled at the prospect, Fox immediately looped the chain over his head. After a few seconds, he started to feel toasty all over. The result was better than with his heat crystals. He might even be too warm, dressed as he was. "It works!" Fox grinned.

Krystal smiled just as brightly. "I would have given it to you sooner, but it took me all winter to summon a spirit that would bless the stone with flame magic. Fire spirits can be uncooperative."

"Don't worry about it," Fox said as he rolled the pendant in his fingers. Even though it warmed him completely, the gemstone itself didn't feel too hot. "So long as I never have to feel cold again, I'm happy."

"I'm glad."

Fox pulled Krystal close and kissed her. "Thank you. I love it." He heard a soft thumping as Krystal's tail swatted over their blanket. "I wish you had told me you were planning this," Fox sighed. "I would have gotten you a present too."

"That's alright." Krystal touched her nose to his. "There actually is something I would like that you could give me."

"What's that?"

Something shifted within Krystal. She became a little shy, Fox thought. "Could you maybe… teach me how to speak Cornerian?" Her hand came up to caress his cheek. "I want to be ready for when we travel to Lylat. And… I want to learn it so I can better understand your thoughts."

Fox's hand overlaid Krystal's. His smile grew wide and loving. "I'd be happy to." Her tail wagged a little faster. "But it'll be better if I teach you Papetoonish first. It's my mother tongue, so that'll help with the second reason. Then once we get to the Lylat System, you'll be able to talk to anyone who speaks Cornerian with a translator."

"Thank you, Fox," Krystal said, happier than he had ever seen her. They embraced. Fox felt Krystal's mind lay over his, sharing her thoughts and feelings with him. "When can we start?"

"Since it's Christmas, there's a saying we use just for today that I can teach you." Fox pulled away so he could gaze into Krystal's eyes. His thumb brushed against her cheek. "Koso Christmas. In Cerinian, it means 'Limoene Christmas.'" Merry Christmas.

"Koso… Christmas…" Krystal said slowly, testing the new syllables on her tongue.

"It's used in a few different ways. Sometimes it's a greeting. Sometimes it's used to say goodbye. But it's always a wish for the other person to find joy on Christmas Day."

A soft chuckle warmed Krystal's expression. "It's a beautiful saying. Koso Christmas, Fox."

New tears swam in Fox's eye. "Limoene Christmas, Krystal."

With his hand gently guiding her cheek, Fox kissed Krystal. He could think of no better gift than the precious time he spent with this most wonderful and thoughtful vixen. She hadn't needed to go through all this effort. He would never ask her to. Yet Krystal did so for him. It left Fox wondering what he ever did to deserve her.

It was a Merry Christmas indeed.

"McCloud."

Of all the things that could have ended this tender moment… Fox turned away from Krystal to meet Andross. He stood with as many layers of clothes as Fox. One key difference was the modern, crimson parka that survived the crash of his ship.

"Andross," Fox replied civilly.

The ape regarded the party around them. "An interesting adaptation of modern Christmas traditions. It reminds me of old testimonies recorded from 130 years ago, when migrants from the Solar System introduced Christianity to Lylat."

"We did our best with what I recalled from Fox's memories last year," Krystal replied. "I wanted to make this a surprise for him."

Andross nodded. "It has been many years since I last celebrated Christmas. Something else always held my attention instead. I never did bother introducing the concept of Christmas to Venom's natives. Now I'm left curious as to how they would have adopted its customs."

The mention of Venom poured a black, sticky sludge over Fox's heart. It reminded him of the war. It reminded him that the man standing in front of him was the reason why Fox's family spent Christmas with an empty seat at the table each year. Fox stared at Andross and probed the hole in his own chest shaped in James McCloud's outline. For the sake of getting home to Lylat, he had put his rage and hatred to one side. Those emotions were still there, but Fox now had trouble grabbing hold of them. They were like smoke in his fingers. Phantoms that he could not touch, yet they could still choke and blind him when they wished to.

Andross reached inside his outer coat. "In the spirit of this occasion and our work together thus far, I have something for you." He retrieved a metal flask and extended it to Fox.

"What's in here?" Taking it, Fox unscrewed the flask's cap. A sharp scent attacked his nostrils. It awoke another memory.

"Whiskey. Or at least, my attempt to recreate it using the local grains," Andross answered. "This was one of my first offerings to the Cerinians in exchange for their services."

"As well as one of the reasons why there are a lot more drunks in Kezamat than there were 10 years ago," Fox muttered. Regardless, he took a short swig. His tongue and throat both burned. A slight buzz hit him quickly. "That's some good shit."

"I thank you," Andross said simply.

"May I?" Krystal asked. Fox handed her the flask. She gulped down too much too fast unprepared. Krystal coughed it back up in an instant, lurching forward as though in pain. He shouldn't have, but Fox laughed. He rubbed Krystal's back as her body rode out the shock. The whiskey was much stronger than she was used to. It was stronger than what any Cerinian would be used to. Krystal returned the whiskey with a horrid grimace on her face.

In goodwill, Fox offered the flask back to Andross. He waved his palm to decline. "It is yours as a gift. Besides, I've brought more to enjoy myself. Andross then drew a second flask from another pocket. "I appreciate that you didn't suspect me of trying to poison you."

Fox shrugged. "Could still happen if I drink enough of this. In any case, murder investigations don't last long with a police force of telepaths. You wouldn't last five minutes if you tried." He took another sip. "And even if you did, I'd say have fun flying your rocket without the best pilot on Cerinia."

Andross laughed in good nature. Fox laughed as well. The humour soon died as Fox remembered who he was talking to. This was the man who orchestrated his father's murder. The man whose war had killed countless others and left the survivors scarred and wounded. Fox remembered shoving a blaster into the ape's face only a year and a half ago. Yet here he was sharing a drink with Andross. His enemy. The Lylat System's enemy.

What would his father think of this? His mother's response was easier to imagine. Hurt and spiteful. However, Fox remembered his father as more level-headed. James approached everything with the practical mind of a soldier. Surely, he would forgive Fox this one time.

'It is Christmas,' Fox sighed. A day to set aside all differences and whatnot. 'Dad… Mom… Please forgive me. I promise it's just for one night. I'll go back to hating him in the morning."

From a log across the clearing, Thene watched Andross engage McCloud and his mate. Her arms crossed in front of her. A stone as cold as the ice behind her sat inside Thene's chest. Its chill manifested in her glare towards several of the foxes present, namely those of the Sharrde and Sythast Clans. Thene knew ahead of time that she should not have come. However, Andross had chosen to attend, so her decision was made bitterly.

Out of the blue, Krystal Sharrde began to sing. Several other voices joined hers after a few lyrics. Thene's claws dug into her arms as her academic mind deciphered their intentions. One of the Lylat System's traditions was the practice of 'carolling.' Undoubtedly, Cerinian folksongs fitted poorly with the origins of Christmas. Yet they were all that most people here would know. And so, they sang. In itself, the melody was not unpleasant, even if Thene thought its singers as otherwise.

"A lovely night, is it not?" a voice spoke. "One better spent alongside people than merely watching them from afar."

Thene looked to her right. Her glare hardened as Grandmaster Randorn Sythast sat beside her without asking for admission. He grunted as he lowered his weight. "These old bones don't bend like they used to," he murmured. Thene could not tell whether the man was talking to her or himself.

"What do you want?" she gritted her teeth. If there was anyone present who Thene wished to speak with less than her former teacher, it was the woman's brother.

"A thick blanket and a hot cup of tea would be nice." He smiled against her scowl. "It looked cold and lonely over here, so I thought I'd offer my company."

Thene turned away. "I do not need or want it."

"That is sad to hear." Sythast stared into the nearest fire. "It has been nine years since we last spoke. Time has flown, yet the wounds feel just as fresh."

"What of it?" Thene hissed. "You were the one who banished me from the Jad, remember."

The old fox nodded. "Yes. That was unfortunate. You were a talented student, if perhaps a little too earnest. It pained me to dismiss you. Alas, our creed needed to be upheld."

"It wasn't that difficult for you to take your sister's side."

"Nomar had as much right to be upset about your actions as you were of mine." When Thene said nothing in response, Sythast sighed. "It is not too late to heal the hurt between you. Simply look at Andross and Fox. Once they were hated enemies. Now they talk and drink together."

"They still hate each other," Thene countered.

"Yet they have both chosen to put that hatred aside, even if it's only temporary," Sythast stated calmly. "It could be that friendship will remain impossible between them, but that does not mean that they cannot make peace with their history. A lasting understanding between each other."

Thene bristled. "I will not apologise to that hag."

If the fool had known better, he would not look so saddened. "I will not ask you to. All that I will ask is that you consider the feelings of others like they were your own. Without breaking into their minds, that is."

She wished nothing more than to be done with this conversation. However, there was something that bothered Thene. "Why say anything to me? What is it that you're after? Don't expect me to crawl back to the Lythan Jad begging for forgiveness."

Of all the things he could have possibly done, Sythast had the audacity to laugh. "I don't. I know better than that. You're happier enough with a new calling."

She noticed his gaze focus on Dr Andross. "I'd have thought you wouldn't approve," Thene said. She was well aware of the whispers that surrounded Andross, in addition to herself.

"Perhaps not approve," Sythast scratched his chin. "I do have some misgivings about Andross's potential. However, I can tell that he is a better fit for you as a teacher than Nomar ever was."

On that, Thene agreed. "All I care about is learning as much as I want as quickly as possible. Where Sharrde sought to stifle me, Doctor Andross gave me the freedom to learn from him however I pleased."

"Then perhaps we can agree that your relationship with Nomar was never meant to be."

Without waiting for a response, he stood to leave. "For what it's worth, Thene. I am proud that you have found your path in life. I might not always support your methods, but I cannot deny that you have done a lot of good for our city and its people." He looked over his shoulder with a smile. "Enjoy the rest of your evening. You should try the cake. It's delightful."

Thene did not know how to answer as the Grandmaster walked away. She looked over to Andross, who was on his way back from speaking with McCloud. A small smile formed on Thene's lips. She was proud of the path she had found too. It suited her much better than the life of a lythan anyway.

A Cornerian storm blew over the Great Fox. Falco looked out through the rec room's window. His reflection stared back as a million bullets of rain shot through it. He barely kept in mind the rest of the team gathered behind him. No one spoke. No one moved a muscle. They simply hung in a collective funk potent enough to be tangible. Nobody could be faulted for feeling miserable.

It was June 10th. The anniversary of Fox's disappearance. It marked the second year since Falco watched him vanish into Purgatory's atmosphere. Two years on and Falco could still remember that moment clear as day. It opened the scabbed wound in his chest. It injected a fresh dose of black poison into his thoughts.

He became vaguely aware of footsteps approaching him. "Falco?" Katt asked. Falco turned to meet her worried gaze. "You've been staring out the window for a while now. Are you okay?"

His first instinct was to deny. However, Falco kept his beak shut until he could keep his promise to Katt, that he would tell her if something ever bothered him. "Just can't stop thinking about Fox."

Katt looped her arms around Falco, nuzzling his shoulder. "It's okay. We're all thinking about him too."

Falco took a long, hard look around the room. His first focus was on Vixy, staring desolately at her knees while Peppy comforted her. Their ears hung so low it made them both look small. Lucy, their guest aboard the ship, sat with Slippy and Dash on the other couch. All three had their heads bowed with grim faces. Even ROB's stillness in the background added to the gloom that permeated Star Fox.

Old, dark whispers spoke in Falco's ear. All this sorrow was his fault. His failing. His inability to save the one person whom they all missed. Falco held onto Katt a little tighter. Her responsive pressure strapped him down, securing him from the terrible currents that threatened to hurl Falco back into the depths of depression.

No matter what he tried, the dark thoughts wouldn't go away. Falco wondered whether Fox was still alive. His skeleton was just as likely all that remained of him. Would Fox have died from crashing onto Purgatory? Had there even been a crash at all? Maybe he flew all the way to the planet's core, where its heat would melt through his unshielded ship until nothing remained of him but ash.

Falco then pictured Fox crawling from the wreckage of his Arwing, only to perish slowly after. What would it have taken? Fatal injuries? Dehydration? Starvation? Disease? Losing the will to live?

The list of possibilities could go on forever. Others less dire also troubled Falco. Ones that wondered if Fox had somehow clung onto life for the past two years. How would he be getting by? Falco imagined a new worst-case scenario. He saw Fox huddled alone in a small cave. His arms were nothing but twigs with patchy fur clinging to his bones. Fingers like talons clutched the carcass of an animal that Fox devoured raw. His eyes showed only a feral shell. All that drove him was madness born from isolation and the sheer desperation to survive.

Falco clung to Katt, lest the waking nightmares sweep him away. "I just hope that he's okay," he whispered.

Katt stroked his back. She kissed the side of his beak. "I'm sure he is. It won't be much longer until we find him."

"She's right, Falco," Peppy said. His hand moved to hold Vixy's. "Once Slippy has finished building the satellite, we'll be able to start searching for Fox on Purgatory's surface."

All eyes turned to Slippy for hope. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "It's still going to be a while before it's ready. We've burned through most of our funds from the Foundation, and the satellite's only half-built."

The stone where Falco's heart should be sunk. "What do we need to do to get it across the line?"

Slippy's expression softened. "Fortunately, all that's left is the main body. I can throw something together from scratch, but we might have to salvage the parts I need."

Peppy managed to chuckle. "Just like our first year as Star Fox."

"Those were the days," Falco shook his head as he reminisced. "I bet Dash can help you with all that, Slip. That starfighter of his is pretty much all scrap."

Dash lifted his head at his name. He cracked a weak smile. "Heh… Yeah. One hundred percent recycled materials. Can definitely help…"

It struck Falco as odd that Dash was so out of it. He understood that the general mood was down, but Dash didn't know Fox well enough to be this fazed. Katt was the one who spoke up. "Dash? Is something the matter?"

Dash started. "Huh…? No! No. Everything's fine." However, the continued, worried stares from everyone else cracked his façade. "Well… It might be something… But now isn't really the best time to bring it up."

"I continue to monitor the team's vitals, and I detect several anomalies in Dash's health. Symptoms include increased heart rate, abnormal brainwaves, and frequent, repetitive twitches in the extremities." ROB declared from the back of the room. "The most likely cause is prolonged anxiety." Dash grimaced at the robot.

"Dash, if something's wrong, you can tell us," Peppy assured him.

It looked like Dash was at least willing to consider talking. He gripped the cloth of his trousers tightly. "It's about the Empire." The atmosphere turned tense. "Oikonny thinks that someone's spying on him."

Falco let go of Katt. "Seriously? What's giving him that idea?"

"It all started with that raid on MacBeth. He's been trying to figure out how we found out about his base there. And now that I've told him that Star Fox stole the Glass Noodle cables for the Purgatory mission, it's only a matter of time before he realises that I'm the spy."

"Shit," Falco muttered. Telling Oikonny anything about what they were doing with the seized tech was a stupid idea from the start. Sadly, Dash's cover relied on informing Oikonny about everything that Star Fox was doing. It was one of those situations that only had bad options. Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. It was too much to hope that Oikonny would be thrilled about them making headway with any plan that could potentially save Andross as well.

"This is getting too risky," Peppy frowned. "We can't let you go back to Fortuna. We need to pull the mission."

Dash stiffened. "But what if we still need Andross's research? We still don't know how to get Fox back even if… when we find him!"

"We've tested the cables with our dust samples. They work just fine," Peppy countered. "We can figure the rest out on our own. There's no need to keep putting your life in danger."

For the first time since Falco had met him, Dash looked ready to boil over. However, he took a breath and kept his temper in check. "I'm sorry, Peppy. But I don't agree with you. Oikonny's getting more suspicious, but he's also becoming more confident in the Empire's goals. I think he's close to putting what he has planned into action, and we still don't know what that is yet."

Peppy's frown deepened. "Corneria has eyes on Oikonny's base. You're not the only one keeping track of his movements."

"But I am the only one who can see what's going on inside the base," Dash hardened. "There's this hangar onsite that's locked down at all times. Only a few engineers and scientists are allowed to go inside, and they are extremely tight-lipped about what they're doing in there. Oikonny has been spending a lot of time with them lately. Whatever he thinks the Empire can use to take on Corneria, it's in that hangar! And I'm the only one who has a chance of finding out what it is!"

"Your safety is not worth the risk," Vixy sided with Peppy, speaking for the first time in over an hour. "If it really is that dangerous, then it would be better for the military to finally raid their headquarters. They can put Oikonny behind bars and dig through their systems directly."

Gently, Dash shook his head. "If we do that, there's a risk that the Empire will destroy everything they have like they did on MacBeth. The Fortuna base is better fortified, so they'll have more time to wipe their systems before we can get to them."

"Just going to put it out there that you're the one who made sure their servers blew up on MacBeth," Slippy mentioned offhandedly.

Dash flinched as though Slippy had struck him. Probably recalling the moment when he was almost blown to pieces that day. He barely escaped with just a concussion, some minor internal haemorrhaging, and a few fractured bones. "That's not the point," Dash flushed. "Look, I know that leaving Oikonny to the military is the safest option, but it poses a lot more risk that we'll lose what we started spying on him for: Tech that we can rescue Fox with."

Both arguments were as strong as the other. Falco felt that he was the only one who could settle the matter. His sigh drew everyone's attention to him. "If Fox were here, he'd put his faith in the closest set of eyes we have on Oikonny. Let's at least work out what the guy's cooking in that hangar first."

Falco could sense Peppy fuming below the surface. He turned his beak to Dash instead. "How much do you think Oikonny suspects you?"

"Not much." Dash relaxed now that someone took his side. "He trusts me enough to tell me he's worried about a spy. But it's too much of a coincidence that we're using stolen tech that Andross developed after we raided the base that manufactured it. A base and technology that we should never have known about."

"Which means all that Oikonny needs to do is think for a few seconds and join the dots," Falco rubbed his beak. "What have you been doing on Fortuna since the raid?"

"I haven't been snooping around since then. I've tried to stay in Oikonny's good books to lay low. He hasn't said anything about it for a while now."

Falco pondered, again trying to imagine how Fox would handle this. Since he wasn't confident in making his own decisions, it helped to put himself in Fox's shoes instead. Right now, Fox would see the prize in front of him and feel the heat on his tail. "We need to know what's going on in that hangar. Dash, see what you can do next time you're on Fortuna. Once we understand what we're dealing with, we'll work out our next move."

"Yes, sir." It felt unusual for Dash to respond so confidently after Falco gave him an order. Maybe that was something to be said about the way Falco treated him over the last two years.

Falco didn't get much time to reflect on that, as he became aware of Peppy glowering in his direction. He met him with a front of steel. After what felt more like minutes than seconds, Peppy exhaled. "You're the captain," he relented. Peppy then stood and left the room.

Vixy rose as well. "I need to use the restroom," she murmured. Her quietness hinted that she had other reasons to leave than seek relief. No one said anything has she followed Peppy out the door.

"I'll make sure she's okay," Katt said. Falco nodded and watched her go as well.

The number of people leaving one after the other made Slippy antsy. "I'm… uh… I'm gonna check on the Arwings. I think I forgot something when I tuned them up yesterday."

Like another domino, Dash stood after Slippy's departure. "I'll start thinking about how I can get into that hangar." Before he left though, Dash hovered for a bit. "Hey, Falco?" he said tentatively. "Thanks."

Surprised once again, Falco returned a nod. Soon, Lucy was the only one left. ROB snuck out at some point without Falco noticing. "Looks like it's just you and me," he joked.

Lucy gave a smile, though an uneasy expression replaced it shortly. "Everyone else is working so hard to save Fox. I wish there were more I could be doing."

"Hey, don't be like that. If you hadn't been running the Foundation all this time, we'd never be able to build Slippy's satellite. From what he's told me, some of those parts are really hard to come by. The work you've been doing is the only reason we could afford them."

Lucy cheered up a little, even if only by the slightest margin. "I know. But what I really want is to be out there on missions with you guys. I'd feel better if I were doing something more than sitting at a desk all day."

Falco exhaled, empathising with her more than he ever imagined he would. "I know the feeling. Some days I feel like the time I'm balancing accounts should be time I spend out in the field. Sitting around and dealing with the money matters… It's aggravating. But someone still needs to do it."

Saddened, Lucy nodded. "I wouldn't mind it so much if I could just feel like I'm getting somewhere." She looked at Falco. A plea shone in her eyes. "Would it be alright if I worked with you guys on missions sometimes?"

The apology that Falco wore on his face gave her his answer. "It looked like your dad was ready to strangle me for siding with Dash. If I let you fly with us right now, he'd probably tip over the edge."

Understandably, Lucy growled in frustration. "He's always like this! I'm so sick of him getting in my way of becoming a pilot!"

"I know. Believe me, I'm the last person who wants to keep you on the ground. But Peppy… Now's not the right time to bring that up. Especially not today." Lucy deflated before him, suddenly reminded of what today meant.

Falco sat beside her. "Just give it a little more time. Once Peppy's had a chance to cool down, I'll try to get you on the team. I promise."

Lucy looked to him hopefully. "You mean that?"

"I love flying more than anyone. And I know how much it sucks when someone tries to get in the way of that." Falco then chuckled. "Fox has been trying to convince your old man to change his mind for years. Peppy's held up a good fight so far, but he's soon going to remember that I'm a lot more stubborn that Fox is. I'll win the war for you."

And with that, finally, Lucy smiled. Genuine, with a giggle accompanying it. "I'm counting on you."

Falco gave her a thumbs up.

"Hey, Falco?" Lucy then said. "I just want you to know… I'm not worried about Fox. I hope that we find him soon as much as anybody, but I know that he's okay. Because he's tough and never gives up. Just like you."

Shock took hold over Falco. Not just by how sweet Lucy's words were, but also how fluffy they made him feel. It invoked a weird happiness that he wasn't accustomed to; one that caused him to squirm uncomfortably. Falco scratched the back of his neck.

"Jeez, Luce. Ease up on the mushy stuff, will ya?" She laughed a bit harder. Falco felt a cosier sort of good. "But thanks. You're right. Fox wouldn't let some stupid planet get him down."

"I'm glad you think so. I just wanted to make sure you're okay," Lucy smiled. She stood up. "I'm going to see if Papa still wants to spend time together today. If he's going to stay in a mood, I might as well head home."

"Let me know if he gets too cranky. I could always put him onto mandatory leave if I think he's overstressed." Lucy shared another laugh with Falco. When she left, Falco looked out through the windows and saw the storm calm into a gentle shower.

It was hard to guess what laid ahead of them now. Fox; Oikonny; other things like that. But Falco didn't feel as worried anymore. The path forward was getting a little clearer each day. Each step was becoming a little easier to take. Soon, they'll get the answers they need. After that, they'll start work on making solutions.

Falco just needed to keep the ship sailing in the right direction until then.

End note:

I wanted to post this chapter in December 2020, but that wouldn't have worked out time-wise. What's also disappointing is that I couldn't wait six days to post this on 10 June.